Martial Arts

MARTIAL ARTS:
Martial Arts are available in a wide variety of disciplines. If you’re interested, don’t let language deter you from joining a local neighborhood gym that teaches martial arts.

Aikido/Hapkido (합기도) incorporates kicks, thrown and joint locks, with a modern self-defense orientation. The Korea Aikido Federation shows an English option on its website but, nothing has been posted there since June 2014. It is possible however that there are staff who speak some English. The federation lists dojos around the the country. Tel:02-3275-0727 / Fax 02-704-9598. Email: aikidokorea@gmail.com

Taekwondo (태권도) is a modern sport that stresses high and powerful kicking. Koreans learn it at school and in the military. The traditional folk martial art of Taekkyun, which dates back to the pre-colonial era, has undergone a renaissance in recent years. The form is slow and dance-like, with an emphasis on rhythmic kicking.
The Korea Taekwondo Association (한국 태권도 협회 - Hanguk Taekwondo Hyeophoe) can be reached at 02-420-4271~3/ Fax 02-420-4274. Address: Olympic Park, 88-2 Oryun-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. While there is English information on the website, it is primarily a description of the history of the sport and the organisation. English updates seem to have ended some years ago.
The World Taekwondo Federation can be reached at 02-555-2505 / Fax 02-553-4728. Address: 7148-4 Taepyeong-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. Website has information in English.